A big question we have been getting at Apartment School is how to change apartments in the same complex. Is it possible? And if so, how do you go about doing it and what are the costs?
You can change apartments in the same complex using a Transfer Lease, which will let someone else assume your lease and move to another unit. You can also simply sign a brand new lease for the new unit. Transfer Fees may be applied when you move to cover the costs the landlord incurs when a tenant moves units.
While some issues are fairly cut and dried, this is one of the rare instances where “cause” actually plays a big part in whether you are going to be charged, or even able to, move to another unit.
If you are going through personal issues such as roommates leaving, or a change in finances, then more than likely you are going to have to pay any transfer fees that the complex charges. HOWEVER, if you are dealing with a situation that the management at the complex is unable to or unwilling to rectify, you may be able to transfer apartment for free to solve two problems at once for the landlord.
Do Apartments Let You Switch Units?
Apartment complexes let you switch units if there is a good reason why you want to move. Additionally, if the apartment is unlivable in some way, you may be moved to another unit in leu of your original apartment.
Changing apartments is a thing. So much so that there is a special lease, called a “Transfer Lease” that facilitates you moving from one apartment unit to another in the same complex. This allows someone else to come in and finish up your lease, while you sign a completely new lease for the apartment unit you want.
Landlords are going to be more hesitant in letting you switch units ‘just because’. They are going to want to have a fairly good reason to let you do this. This is due to the additional time, money, and work that the landlord is going to have to put in not only getting you a brand new apartment, but then making your old apartment ready to go for the next tenant.
Speaking as a landlord myself, these things take time and money. Then time to put a unit up that isn’t quite ready to go, clean the carpets, scrub the bathrooms and kitchen, possibly paint. This all ads up to mere hundreds of dollars if I am lucky. So, there has to be a pretty darn good reason for me to move someone from one apartment to another.
The most common request I get for this is when roommates either move in, move out, or break up with each other. The majority of my experiences have both parties wanting a unit in my complex, so transferring one of the tenants to a new unit is normally not that big a deal, I just sign a completely new lease for them, and take their name off the lease with the old roommate.
The only other time I have had to move tenants is when a pipe burst in a unit next door to a family and their apartment flooded. I quickly and happily moved them down to the other end of the complex with no transfer leases or fees involved.
If you are experiencing a situation where your apartment is not habitable, then you should talk to your landlord about moving to a different unit.
Can I Move Into Another Apartment Before My Lease Is Up?
You can move into another apartment in the same complex using something called a ‘Lease Transfer’. If you are wanting to lease an apartment that is in an entirely different complex, this can be done, but you will be responsible for rent and expenses at both places.
The most common occurrence of a tenant renting two places at the same time that I have personally seen is when the tenant’s employer moves them to a different area and they still have time left on their lease.
In the vast majority of these cases, the person is fully willing to pay the rest of the lease off, either over the coming months or all at once, because their employer is compensating them for moving.
Either way, there is nothing illegal about renting two apartments at the same time, in the same way you can lease 2 cars at the same time. You are simply responsible for the payments on both.
Moving into an apartment in the same complex consists of a ‘Lease Transfer’ and possibly Transfer Fees.
How Do Apartment Lease Transfers Work?
Lease Transfers essentially let someone else assume the remainder of your lease, leaving you free to obtain another unit in the same complex or in another complex altogether.
With a lease transfer, usually the tenant goes out and finds someone that is looking for a new apartment and has them come in, sign the lease for the remainder of the period, and puts their name as the responsible party for payment. This leaves you free to do whatever you want at this point.
If you are wanting to move to a new apartment in the same complex, the way that you are probably going to talk your landlord into doing this is by simply signing a whole new lease altogether.
Now again, if there is extenuating circumstances like the apartment next door flooded and you HAVE to move, then you shouldn’t have to extend your lease or pay any transfer feed. But any other outside circumstance and you are looking at starting a whole new lease plus transfer fees.
Why Do Apartments Charge Transfer Fees?
Transfer Fees are charged to tenants to cover the cost the apartment complex endures by moving a tenant to a new apartment unit in the same complex.
Understand the reason behind these charges. Anytime a landlord starts or ends a lease with a tenant, there are costs involved. And while these costs may not seem like much to you as the tenant, they are a big part of the process for your landlord when tenants move in and out.
When you are moving from one apartment to another in the same complex, management is going to have the cost of making the other apartment ready for you to move into, as well as cleaning, making repairs, and getting your old unit ready to put back up on the market again.
Every one of these things cost money.
Look at it this way. Many landlords are not going to let you move apartments in the same complex for a variety of reasons. No vacancy for the type of unit you want, you or your roommates didn’t keep up the unit you are currently in or caused problems during your tenancy, or something else entirely.
If you can get your landlord to move to a different apartment inside your lease, count that as a WIN. The transfer fee is going to be a minimal charge, all things considered, that is going to put you where you want to be in the complex.
The ONLY exception I have ever seen to landlords not charging a Transfer Fee is when there is a situation that the landlord cannot rectify, such as bad neighbors that are around a certain tenant, or something of the like. If it is a case like this, then you have a good chance at moving apartments without any sort of fees at all. You are solving two problems at the same time by moving, and most landlords will jump at this solution.
If you are moving units for any other reason, including roommates moving out, breaking up with a significant other, or job changes that impact your finances, chances are you are going to have to pay the transfer fees because it costs the apartment complex money to move you and get your old apartment ready to go again.
How To Ask For An Apartment Transfer
Tell your landlord why you want to transfer. Show them the benefit they will receive in letting you do this. Talk to them in person about your concerns and desire to rent a new unit, and be honest.
The best way to get what you want is to be honest. There is no other way I can say this any better. Don’t beat around the bush, don’t make up some story, don’t exaggerate anything, JUST BE HONEST.
Landlords are humans too and go through many of the same things in life. If you have been a good tenant, then chances are, they are going to have an empathetic ear to your wants. If you have been a poor tenant, or have been living with poor roommates that are causing strife, chances are your landlord is going to view your request to move as just a chance for more mayhem to happen in another unit of their complex.
I cannot stress enough at how being a good tenant can REALLY go a long way when you want something from your landlord.
Finally, make sure that you talk to them in person. This puts a human face on your problems and your request and is more likely to be heard in its entirety than an email correspondence or a phone call. Put a face on your request.
You can change apartments in the same complex at almost anytime if you are willing to sign a new lease and pay the transfer fees that go along with changing units. A Lease Transfer can be used to get another person to come in and assume the remainder of your lease, leaving you free to move to another unit or another apartment complex entirely.
When you are asking your landlord to change units, be honest with them. Let them know what your issues or concerns are, and how moving to a different unit will be beneficial to them. This is the best way to accomplish your goals and avoid transfer fees.
